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The differences between tow truck operators and van drivers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a tow truck operator and a van driver. Additionally, a tow truck operator has an average salary of $43,448, which is higher than the $36,254 average annual salary of a van driver.
The top three skills for a tow truck operator include transport vehicles, tow truck and DOT. The most important skills for a van driver are CDL, customer service, and OTR.
| Tow Truck Operator | Van Driver | |
| Yearly salary | $43,448 | $36,254 |
| Hourly rate | $20.89 | $17.43 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 72,416 | 791,293 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 53% | High School Diploma, 38% |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
A Tow Truck Operator works with a towing company and assists with removing damaged vehicles from accident scenes or broken down vehicles that have been abandoned at the request of the owner of the vehicle or the owner of the property. Typically, the tow truck operator's duties start first by receiving a call from a dispatcher and then driving to the accident or breakdown scene. He/She connects the vehicle to the tow truck and transports it to its final destination, a junkyard or a service station.
A van driver is responsible for operating a wide and a larger-sized vehicle than a regular car, usually used as a company shuttle to pick up and drop employees to designated areas. Van drivers should have a clean driving record, ensuring the safety and comfortability of the passengers while on the road. They should also be familiar with the location, considering alternative routes for any road complications to avoid delays. A van driver must have comprehensive knowledge of the mechanical industry, inspecting the engine's condition, and perform repairs as necessary.
Tow truck operators and van drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Tow Truck Operator | Van Driver | |
| Average salary | $43,448 | $36,254 |
| Salary range | Between $30,000 And $62,000 | Between $24,000 And $52,000 |
| Highest paying City | Longview, WA | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | Alaska |
| Best paying company | 7th Street Casino | DVFSchool |
| Best paying industry | Hospitality | Transportation |
There are a few differences between a tow truck operator and a van driver in terms of educational background:
| Tow Truck Operator | Van Driver | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 53% | High School Diploma, 38% |
| Most common major | Automotive Technology | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between tow truck operators' and van drivers' demographics:
| Tow Truck Operator | Van Driver | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 96.6% Female, 3.4% | Male, 65.9% Female, 34.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.5% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 20.6% Asian, 3.5% White, 59.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | Black or African American, 12.2% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 17.1% Asian, 3.6% White, 61.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |